Organic photovoltaics (OPV) have emerged as a focus in photovoltaic research due to low-cost, simple, and high-throughput manufacturing capabilities. Still high vacuum deposited metals such as silver (Ag) are required for the top electrode of the cell, limiting size due to the high cost of silver, and throughput. This will significantly limit the performance of OPVs as larger sizes are necessary for many practical applications. My research addresses these important engineering issues by developing an alternative deposition method with less expensive materials. Therefore I plan to replace vacuum deposited Ag with electroplated copper (Cu). Recently it has been shown that high vacuum deposition can be replaced with low-cost metallization techniques such as electroplating. Electroplating is a well-established industrial process that is relatively low-cost, and simple, making it a suitable choice for rapid processing. While electroplating technology has been adopted for silicon-based photovoltaics, its advantages and implications have yet to be explored in OPVs. Cu is a significantly lower-cost material when compared to Ag with comparable conductivity characteristics as to not harm OPV performance. My method of investigation involves testing OPV performance once they are fabricated, then electroplate a thick Cu electrode on top of the Ag electrode, followed by once again testing OPV performance. My plan is to then characterize the effects of the electroplated Cu on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) or the ability to convert the sun’s energy into electrical energy of the OPV. Successfully replacing a sophisticated manufacturing process with simple methods, and cheap materials such as electroplated Cu, would create opportunities for further technology to be developed for OPV.

The performance of polymer solar cells (PSC) have been a popular study in its applications and fabrication processes in the field of solar energy. Although the power conversion efficiency (PCE) for this type of organic solar cell increased to about 6%, there is a need for the improvement in its device architecture. Creating solar cells involve a strategic fabrication process that consists of several layers that must be built in sequence. Each layer serves a crucial role. The primary role in the performance of its PCE is in optimizing the parameter of transport layers that facilitate charge carriers from the active layer. Fabricating solar cells start with a premade indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated electrode glass slide, followed by ZnO, an electron transport layer (ETL) created with specific measurements. The active layer, P3HT:PCBM is then created with appropriate concentration levels. MoO₃, a hole transport layer (HTL), is deposited on top of the active layer, at a different thicknesses. Lastly, Ag is deposited to serve as our second electrode. Completing the solar cell with the second electrode completes the circuit. Electron charge carriers transport through ZnO to ITO, while the hole charge carriers transport through MoO₃ to Ag. My research, therefore, aims to address what is the optimized thickness of the hole transport layer (HTL), MoO₃, in order to further improve the PCE. In focusing on MoO₃, results determined that as the layer thickness of MoO₃ is reduced, the PCE increases. In opposition, as the layer thickness of MoO₃ increases, the PCE decreases. By controlling the thickness of the hole transport layer, this allowed me to find an optimized thickness to produce high PCEs. This research opens new possibilities and opportunities for future processes when optimizing a particular layer. 

In the past few years waterborne pathogens have caused many outbreaks of disease after natural disasters. Water flux is influenced by climate change, so it will also have an effect on the epidemiology of these diseases. This means that diseases that are endemic in certain regions might migrate to other regions as the climate changes. This literature review focused on research pertinent to constructing a sanitation system that would, after a natural disaster, be feasibly built by the affected population. We explored existing sanitation system designs which can be easily built by the lay population in a limited time frame, without the need for outside help. Such a sanitation system would prevent waterborne diseases that are known to cause disease outbreaks, and be sturdy enough to withstand other catastrophes. We also presented other generalized models for sanitation systems which may be transposed in any other region with similar topography and climate. It was found that climate change will become increasingly devastating to populations around the world. Sanitation systems, while a better investment, would require more infrastructures which are not always possible in developing countries. It was determined that if an affected population is to avoid outbreaks, arborloos and urine diverting toilets were the simplest solutions, both economically and with regard to ease of construction, especially in developing countries. This literature review used several disciplinary lenses including economics, engineering, microbiology, health, geography, climate change, and finally the epidemiological lens. This project explored research in academic journals and other professional publications with keywords such as “sanitation system” and “waterborne infection.”